How To Become An Eating Disorder Dietitian: The RDs Guide
Registered Dietitians are some of the most important workforces out there. With each passing minute, the public and the scientific community become more and more aware of just how essential nutrition and dietetics are to every aspect of health. It’s not just about losing weight or hitting your macros, RDs can change lives through chronic disease management, allergy nutrition counseling, and even eating disorder recovery. Yes, you as an RD are POWERFUL!
When people think of RDs, they often think of someone who makes meal plans or helps you stay on a certain diet plan. However, it’s SO much more than that—especially when we’re talking about clients with eating disorders. Not only are you working on improving eating habits, but you’re also managing the individual’s mental health and totally reforming their body image. And, your success as their RD could literally mean life over death for these special clients. It’s a big deal!
If you have a passion for helping people with eating disorders and have always dreamed of refocusing your RD career on that, DO IT! My post today is all about giving you the steps to niche down and become an eating disorder dietitian.
How To Become An Eating Disorder Dietitian
Nutrition and dietetics is already an extremely individualized field. No one client will require the same approach. Now, when we add eating disorders into the mix, you as an RD, have to curate an even more personalized strategy for helping each person. Whether handling anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, pica, rumination, or other eating disorder, an RD like you with a mission for saving lives from disordered eating can have an incredible impact.
Can a Dietitian Help with Eating Disorders?
YES! A RD in the eating disorder field can be a big support to someone struggling with disordered eating. They have the qualifications to perform a nutritional assessment, curate a strategic meal plan, provide high-touch nutritional counseling, offer extensive behavioral support, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals providing care for that client. In some cases, an RD will even deliver meal support where they eat with their clients to help form better habits!
It’s important to note that a Registered Dietitian, who has achieved a bachelor's or graduate degree, completed their dietetics internship, passed their CDR exam, and earned a state certification are the ones qualified to help. Nutritionists are not the same as Dietitians and in most states there are few requirements (if any) for calling yourself one. A nutritionist would not be qualified to help someone with an eating disorder like a RD would! Here’s more on the differences between a Registered Dietitian and a nutritionist.
How To Become A Dietitian Specializing in Eating Disorders
Step One: Gain plenty of experience in the field wherever you can.
If you want to help treat eating disorders, you need to first understand them beyond what you read in a textbook. Try to get experience working with people struggling with eating disorders in any capacity! Of course, working at a clinic that helps eating disordered individuals is great, but if you can’t find a job in that field, you could also volunteer with relevant organizations, ask to sit in on local support groups, and get involved in advocacy groups! All will get you closer to your goal.
Step Two: Pursue specialized certifications and do your own research.
The next steps would be to get additional RD certifications having to do with eating disorders! This is how, from a professional perspective, you become specialized in eating disorders. When you start taking individual clients with eating disorders, these are the advanced qualifications that’ll persuade them to seek your help.
Below are some certifications you could look into. The most relevant ones come from the Academy of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP).
Certified Eating Disorders Registered Dietitian (CEDRD)
Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS)
Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition (CSP) - if working with minors
Intuitive Eating Counselor Certification
Step Three: Be intentional about your continuing education requirements.
As you pursue your required continuing education requirements as an RD, try to choose CPEUs that will help you refine your skills as an RD specializing in eating disorders. There are plenty of workshops, conferences, online courses, webinars, self-study programs, and more that will build your knowledge, develop your skills, and advance your career.
Step Four: Open an online private practice.
There are clinics out there that specialize in eating disorder recovery, but the positions are often hard to come by. Plus, many RDs in traditional employment situations are underpaid, undervalued, and WAY overworked! You’ll be able to help the most people and develop the career of your dreams in eating disorder treatment best if you open your own private online practice!
When you start a private nutrition business, you not only give yourself freedom when it comes to when you work and where you work, but you also gain access to MILLIONS of people all over that may need your help. You’re not limited to only helping those in a specific area or demographic. Here you can make a real impact while also making what you deserve and having the work-life balance you deserve! For more on this, here’s all the benefits of starting an online practice as an RD!
Step Five: Hire a dietitian business coach.
If you’re nervous about starting your private practice or have started it and just haven’t gained much traction yet, I get it. We’re RDs, not business experts! This is why I recommend you hire a dietitian business coach like me. Not only is it the best investment you can make for the success of your business, but it’s the best way to invest in YOU too.
A business coach can help you best utilize all your skills, reach the most clients in need, and make the biggest impact . . . without struggling for years and years to get your business off the ground. Apply to work with me, and let’s do this together! And, if you’re still not convinced, here’s all the reasons to hire a nutrition business coach.
Step Six: Make your dream into a reality!
Now, it’s time to make your dreams into a reality! Become a Registered Dietitian who specializes in eating disorders and help a community deeply in need of your expertise, your unique approach, and your unmatched passion.
Make an impact and become a Registered Dietitian specialized in disordered eating!
Sometimes when we start nutrition school, we have a really clear vision of what our future career in dietetics looks like. Other times, along the way we discover our true mission and the community we want to service. No matter when you decide you want to help people with eating disorders, you can do it! Refocus your career, get your additional certifications, and get out there . . . the world needs you!